The Leadership Divide: Lessons from the Best (and Worst) Commanders

I always knew, on some level, that leadership was important—but it wasn’t until I experienced truly bad leadership that I realized just how crucial it really is. Throughout my life, I had naturally stepped into leadership roles—as captain of sports teams, chairman of events, and later as a leader of men in combat. Yet, I never fully appreciated the profound impact of leadership until I encountered both the best and the worst examples firsthand.

A defining moment came when I served under three very different company commanders, each leaving a lasting impression on how I view leadership to this day. For the sake of this story, let’s call them Leaders A, B, and C.

Leader A was the epitome of discipline, inspiration, and professionalism. He led from the front—whether it was during grueling fitness sessions, knee-deep in mud on exercises, or handling mundane tasks like weapon cleaning. He constantly challenged junior leaders, pushing them to expand their knowledge and rethink their approaches. His primary focus was the morale and professionalism of the company, and the men respected him deeply for it. He remains one of my greatest leadership role models to this day.

Then came Leader B, and the contrast was immediate. It became clear that he was simply checking the box of commanding a rifle company before moving on to a more comfortable office role. He was rarely present during physical training and demonstrated poor basic administration—things that any ordinary soldier would be disciplined for. It was obvious he was out of his depth, and the men quickly lost respect for him. His lack of presence and competence had a tangible, negative impact on the entire company.

Finally, there was Leader C—a man with a notorious reputation across the battalion. We had dreaded the day he would take command, and when he did, he wasted no time living up to his name. He was a control freak who thrived on micromanagement. Friday afternoons, when the rest of the battalion had been dismissed for the weekend, our company would stand on parade for hours under his orders. He would demand unnecessary tasks, not to improve the company, but to prove he was doing more than the other commanders—at the expense of our morale. It nearly led to a full-scale mutiny.

These experiences taught me a lesson I carry with me every day: leadership matters—more than most people realize. Good leadership elevates morale, fosters growth, and inspires loyalty. Bad leadership destroys trust, weakens teams, and breeds resentment.

This realization is a foundational reason why I run my business today. Leadership is not something you’re simply born with—it’s a skill that must be learned, tested, and continually refined. At Vanguard Leadership Solutions, we are committed to transforming how leadership is approached, ensuring that as many people as possible can thrive under effective, inspiring leadership.

Because when leadership is done right, everyone wins.